Formal Words to Use in Essays and Professional Writing

Formal words replace casual ones in essays and professional writing: use obtain instead of get, assist instead of help, demonstrate instead of show, and purchase instead of buy.

Instead of "get"

Instead of "help"

Instead of "show"

Instead of "use"

Instead of "buy"

Instead of "tell"

Instead of "big"

Instead of "end"

Frequently asked questions

What are formal words?

Formal words are the more precise, professional alternatives to everyday casual words — obtain for get, assist for help, demonstrate for show — used in essays, reports, and business writing where a neutral, polished tone is expected.

What can I use instead of "get" in formal writing?

Depending on the sense: obtain or acquire when you receive something, procure when you source it, and secure when you succeed in getting it. Each is more precise than the all-purpose "get".

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